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Wednesday 13 November 2013

The AGM: Essex Archaeological News, Autumn 1973

Essex Archaeological News, Autumn 1973 (No 44)

THE A.G.M.

If ever there was an event in the Society history to which the time honoured word 'occasion' applied, then this was the 23rd June 1973.

Everything seemed to be in favour. The Mercury Theatre providentially available, beside the Balkerne Gate, the day perhaps the hottest and sunniest in June, and of course our guest and Vice President Sir Mortimer [Wheeler] to share the day and his reminiscences. No, the last word is wrong, the definition is the recovery of knowledge by mental effort, and this could never apply to the polished and apparently effortless way in which Sir Mortimer kept his audience enthralled. But I digress …

The day was planned to start with an exhibition at the Theatre combined with guided tours of both excavations and the Castle, the exhibition was there after some last minute struggles but the guides were not in evidence, and especial apologies are due to the party which had travelled from Saffron Walden with adequate warning only to find that they had to guide themselves. From that time on the streets of Colchester seemed to throng with Society members.

The pictorial exhibitions were hung on frames loaned by the Museum and showed the Rivenhall Exhibition which is excellent material and has outstanding illustrations, and two sets of Rescue photographs showing the archaeological evidence which is at risk and the methods of destruction.

This exhibition was shown in the foyer of the Theatre, and in a small gallery upstairs, during this time the Restaurant was open and members were beginning to circulate.

Having set up part of the exhibition and transported the stands I personally began a tight schedule which included a Publications Committee meeting at the Castle and lunch with the President at the Rose and Crown before returning to set up for the A.G.M. itself.

The main meeting went smoothly with a welcoming speech by Mr M R Hull, our Vice President and a reply to the membership by the President, Major J G S Brinson. The elections were then carried out, the President being reinstated by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, who took over the chair and deftly replaced the Ribbon of Office.

The other elections followed the proposals of the Council, and the new Council itself needed no election of a competitive nature since there were just twelve persons nominated, these are shown below.

In the business which followed the proposal by the Council that there be a Library membership, was the subject of some discussion, and it was apparent that the meeting was against the motion. Mr Charles Sparrow, Q.C., the Hon. Legal Adviser, then moved an amendment placing the task with the Council of setting suitable fees for access to the Library facilities in the case of non-members. This amendment was carried.

The President moved a vote of thanks to Mr David Forder the Manager of the Theatre and then moved on to the final item.

The Council had decided to give a positive indication of gratitude to Mr John S. Appleby, the recently retired Secretary, and The President made it clear that Mr Appleby had served as Hon. Archivist for five years before his becoming Secretary in 1959, the sum was 18 years in Office.

The Council had subscribed towards a brief case inscribed with Mr Appleby's initials, which was then shown to the meeting, The President said how he regretted that Mr Appleby had been unable to attend because of another engagement, and suggested that others in the meeting might wish to show their appreciation. The brief case was then passed round for examination, and many members placed in it their own tokens of appreciation. The President promised to convey it to Mr Appleby with the meeting's good wishes.

After adjourning for tea, both members and others met in the Theatre at 4 o'clock to hear a talk by Sir Mortimer Wheeler. I made the count about three hundred.

There followed three quarters of an hour of rare enjoyment with Sir Mortimer showing his supreme ability as a raconteur. Starting with a quip about his 'lecture', this went on to recount his connections with Colchester, which are not those usually heard, and which were punctuated with roars of laughter from the audience, and then passed on to his ultimate moment of satisfaction with the recognition of an amphora handle, in an Indian museum, which led to the unearthing of the Roman occupation there.

The meeting was then open for questions which were answered for nearly half an hour, and the meeting was finally brought to a close with applause and thanks to our speaker, and Vice President.
The whole perfect day left one regret: that it is unlikely such a combination of ideal factors can coincide again.

To conclude one man's A.G.M., the exhibition was stripped and packed, and as we stood outside packing the car the clock struck six, so we were able to retire to the 'Hole in the Wall' and celebrate in proxy for Sir Mortimer who had tried in vain to visit that pub earlier in the day.


The Council:- P.B.Boyden, D.M.Blouet, P.J.Drury, W.J.Rodwell, Mrs J-A. Buck, J.Cornwall, Mrs K.A.Rodwell, Mrs P.Monk, Dr F.G.Emmison, Mrs O Daynes, T.A.Betts, S.R.Bassett.

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